SIPTU calls on Government to support minimum €15 hourly rate for Early Years Educators

SIPTU Early Years Union is calling for ring-fenced State funding to support a minimum wage rate of  €15 an hour for educators and a 10% increase to all Employment Regulation Order (ERO) rates in its 2025 Budget Submission, ‘Towards a Professional Wage for Early Years.

SIPTU Sector Organiser, Diane Jackson, said: “Low pay has to be tackled once and for all if the Early Years Sector is to have any chance of attracting and retaining staff. The sector is losing experienced and qualified staff to other sectors where pay and conditions of employment are better. In Budget 2025 there must be a concrete commitment that professional pay and conditions of employment for the sector will be supported through annual ring-fenced funding.”

SIPTU Head of Strategic Organising Department, Darragh O’Connor, said: “Recruitment challenges are crippling the sector, leaving many services unable to meet the increased demands in communities across the country.

“This has resulted in a staff turnover rate of 25% per year. Not only does this undermine quality for children but it is also threatening the future viability of services that simply cannot recruit or retain staff. Early Years Educators and Managers are caught in a vicious cycle of low pay, a staffing crisis and increased stress and burnout. It must be addressed once and for all.

“The Union is also calling for recognition for experience and qualification across all grades of staff in the Early Years Sector. The agenda was set by delegates at the Early Years Union national conference held in April of this year. These budget demands are being made just as a third round of pay talks for the sector is due to commence.”

He added: “Last month, the union published its Early Years Professional survey which shows that a staggering 86% identified low pay as their biggest work issue for Educators. The staffing crisis is having a major impact on service provision with 95% of managers saying problems recruiting and retaining staff will negatively impact service provision.”